During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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